Ara Papian sees opportunities to reap benefits from Russia-Turkey tense relations

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Russia-Turkey tense relations is a brilliant opportunity for Armenia to benefit. Head of theModus VivendicenterAra Papian expressed such an opinion in an interview with journalists on January 14. “This is a brilliant opportunity for Armenia to raise our interests and rights within Russian circles, which is very difficult, yet, possible. This is an opportunity that must be utilized”, “Armenpress” reports, Papian stated.

In his words, it is necessary to raise the issue that not only the Kurdish issue but also the Armenian issue can be used against Turkey. “Yes, Kurds reside and “de-facto” own that territories, but those territories belong to us “de-jure”. It is possible to find a mutually acceptable option. It is possible to find an option, which in the future, for example, if a Kurdish state is established or global governance is formed, the interests of Armenians are also considered. If you do not voice, of you do not introduce your demands, and your neighbors do not know that you have some type of claims upon which you can protect your rights, nothing will happen”, the political scientist emphasized.

Relations between Moscow and Ankara intensified on November 24 when Russian bomber Su-24 was shot down over Syria by an air-to-air surface fired from a Turkish F-16 plane when the bomber was at an altitude of 6,000 meters at a distance of 1 km from the Turkishborder. The jet dropped 4 km away from the Turkish border.

According to President Putin, theSu-24 plane incident in is "a stab in Russia’s back” delivered by terrorist accomplices. He mentioned that the jet was not a threat for Turkey and the tragedy “will have severe consequences on the relations between Moscow and Ankara”.